A well deserved rest! Lol...Waylon gets extra special sleeping accomodations...wonder if the rest of the Team is like "now where is he going off to again tonight"? Do these pups know how special they all are!! We absolutely love them!

I know most dogs run in their sleep w/legs twitching. Wonder if Iditarod dogs do that after a race. Hope not. They deserve a break. Wonderful run & we so appreciate ur caution at Safety. Dog/Musher bond, that's what it's about. They trust u Aliy & u'll never let them down.

I'm such a fan of Aliy and her pups. I am so proud of all of you and so thankful you were safe in the wind. Totally logical there is none at the moment of your blog, though. shaking head at irony of weather. Off to cheer for the Black Team!

Thank you for posting these pics. Such amazing athletes these doggies are. All of you did it. You brought yourselves and Mom safely into Nome. I know you can all feel the love. Sleep and rest well little buddies.

I love these dogs. They ask so little but give so much! And, after watching Aliy's interview with the Alaska Dispatch, I am grateful that they they watched over her on the trail-- just as she did them.

Thanks for the doggie update! Glad they all had steaks. We're all thinking about you and grateful Aliy and the dogs got in safe and sound. Time to celebrate that and the fact that they made it through one really tough looking race!

Aliy and pups, what an awesome job running this race. You've won much more than first place, you've won the hearts of soooo... many people. Thank you for sharing the mushing world with an old armchair musher. Kudos to the entire SP kennel team!!

You ran a great race. Many of us on Ravelry, in a parallel forum called Iknitarod, a knitting social media site, were rooting and following you throughout the race. We are relieved you and all your pups are safe and resting now.

This year I was able to recognize more dogs on the Iditarod and Insider sites. I would play them back and forth looking for the SPK athletes (including Aliy and Allen!)Olivia with her ice blue eyes and Quito got a lot of media attention. I felt like an Auntie!

What a great team and what a fantastic race! Such excitement, right up to the last minutes! What a wonderful job you did for the dogs and what a great job they did for you, Aliy! It is wonderful to watch. You truly ran a spectacular race in some of the worse conditions I've ever seen and you brought the team through! You're always saying, "good dogs", ... well, here's to you... Good Aliy!!!

Aily I just watched the VIDEO: Musher Aliy Zirkle explains why she stopped in Safety during Iditarod 2014. Please know I could empathize with you. You are such a wonderful person and champ! Watching that video which I did 2x brought tears. I could hear, feel and see your raw emotions, Thanks for being real! Ron in AZ ragodfrey@yahoo.com. Aliy thank you for a wonderful 8 days. I was there form the beginning to the end. Yes 2014 Iditarod will be one to remember.

After every Iditarod I look forward to the post that shows the dogs resting in Nome - so glad to see the athletes getting pampered. Oh Waylon, you really are a sweet boy, but I think your ears alone don't leave much room for Meghan in the bed!

Aliy and Red Team: I am so very impressed with the teamness you al had the humanitarian efforts Aliy you went for yur dogs, truly an example. I am touched, Thank You. So beautiful! So very proud of you all. I could give you all a hug! I could give the Red Team deer jerky! Aliy for you a big chocolate bar! A big hug for you all! Ron in AZ ragodfrey@yahoo.com

SP Kennels, you show all of us who live with dogs that they want and deserve to be our respected companions. Our canine partners bring joy and strength to our lives. You are ambassadors for dogs worldwide. Congratulations, you are champions.

So proud that Boondocks, Sissy, Pud and Waylon made it all the way with the Red Team. What a feat! No one will be able to convince them they are little doggies now. They've joined the ranks of the Big Dogs.